Members of the New York State Assembly on Thursday gave final approval to the state's $135 billion budget, including a hike in the minimum wage, a tax break for middle-class families and business tax cuts.Associated Press

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - New York lawmakers made history on Thursday when they gave final approval to a $135 billion state budget that will hike the minimum wage to $9 an hour, give a $350 tax rebate to families and contains $700 million in business tax cuts.

Motorists who text while driving or who get nailed for speeding will also face stiffer penalties.

It is the state's third consecutive on-time budget, the longest streak in decades. The state's fiscal year begins on Monday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has already voiced approval of the plan.

"It's the third budget in a row that does not raise taxes," said state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island). "That's very important for the people of Staten Island."

On mobile or desktop:

And check out our redesigned mobile site by visiting SILive.com from any mobile browser.

The Senate passed the budget after an all-night session on Wednesday. The Assembly worked into the night on Thursday and voted its approval just before midnight.

"It's great to have an on-time budget three years in a row," said Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore). "And an early budget. I'm looking forward to being home on Easter Sunday."

The budget gradually increases the minimum wage to $9 by 2016, and offers the $350 rebate to families with at least one child and that earn between $40,000 and $300,000. Checks will go out right before the 2014 state elections.

The business tax cuts kick in this fiscal year and next.

The budget boosts the fines for texting and driving to $150 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense within 18 months and $400 for a third offense in 18 months.

It also places a $25 surcharge on speeding drivers who plead down their tickets.

Also included is a $10,000 tax credit for small businesses that hire post-9/11 veterans. They'll get $15,000 for hiring disabled vets.

"Overall it's a good budget," said state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn). "There's not a lot of gimmicks."

While she would have liked to see more funding for day care and after school, Ms. Savino said, "It's one of the most family-friendly budgets we've seen. And we're not talking about massive cuts to agencies."

There is also $5 million for the Environmental Protection Fund to pay for the second phase of the Pouch Camp easement.

But he was pleased to see additional funding for the City University of New York, some of which he hopes to see come to the College of Staten Island.

"There's a lot of good, a lot of bad," Borelli said of the budget.

There's also an overall $1 billion increase in education funding, including $360 million to the city.

But missing is a reimbursement to city schools for $250 million lost because the city and the teacher's union could not agree on a teacher evaluation system.

The budget does not include Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll relief for Island residents and businesses.

The measure passed both houses of the Legislature, but was stymied in subsequent budget negotiations between Cuomo and legislative leaders.

Borough lawmakers remain hopeful that a deal can be worked out before the end of session.

"It's not dead," said Lanza. "We continue to talk."

Also out of the budget is $25 million for the DREAM Act, which would give the illegal immigrant children state-funded college tuition aid. The Assembly voted in favor of it, but the measure was never taken up by the Senate.